Change in Word Meanings

[D.H. Killingley]

On Mon, 21 Apr 1997 GANESANS at cl.uh.edu wrote:
>        
>       Change in Word Meanings
>      ************************

> 
> 5) kazhakam - originally, a gambling place.
> Now, thamizhk kazhakam - tamil society etc.,

Was kazhakam _originally_ a gambling place, or was it a place of assembly
in general, with 'gambling place' as a specialized meaning? Sanskrit sabhA
offers a parallel: generally an assembly, but in sabhA parvan of MBh it
has the special meaning of a gambling session.  In both instances, the
specialised meaning may reflect the importance of public gambling in the 
culture.

Dermot Killingley